A big thank you to Ursula Scheid who completed her IDC with us in February 2012.

Sarah Kench Course Director

“I believe the reason I passed the IE was in part due to Sarah Kench’s beliefs in my abilities no matter how difficult I thought it was or how much I doubted my own abilities! She was a solid support for me from day one! I walk away from this experience with a heavy heart as I will miss the strength of Sarah’s professionalism, knowledge. care, positive spirits and endless energy. I couldn’t recommend an IDC or Course Director more highly. Thank you ”

Scuba Cat Diving gained our first trip adviser report in November 2009, now nearly two years later we are amazed by how much this site has grown.

More and more customers that are booking with us either by the shop or by the internet, are telling me that they have read Trip Advisor reports and the customer testimonials to help them make their decision for their holiday.

Trip Advisor has become a valuable resource helping people make decisions about which hotel to stay at, the activities to choose whilst they are in Phuket, and most importantly for us which dive center choose.

Every Scuba Cat report is genuine, Real customers who have used our Dive Centre here in Phuket to provide their diving for them, write all the reviews on there.

At Scuba Cat Diving you can expect a quality service, provided by an award winning team, in relaxed and friendly surroundings, we like to ensure our guests get the most out of their holiday, no matter what diving experience they have.

We want our customers to come back again and again and recommend us to their friends and family.

Sarah Kench, owner of Scuba Cat Diving is originally from the England. Having spent many years diving in the UK before moving to Thailand 7 years ago, she realises the importance of safety in Diving but not forgetting the fun! She spends her time making sure everyone receives relaxed, uncrowded and enjoyable diving, whether it be their first or hundredth dive! She is now a Course Director, you never know where you will find her next: in the office answering emails, teaching a IDC, or with the Scuba Kittens – the next generation of divers!

By the time it came to the IE we were all in different stages of readiness. Bruce and I had gone over his physics so many times he was talking about gasses in his sleep.  The Friday afternoon came and at the appointed hour we joined around 50 other candidates in the exam hall. The examiners were later than we expected but they tried to calm us down with some chat. Maybe it was just me but all I wanted was the exam paper, the time to do it in and to get out.

"Before"

All the practice, revision and the discussions helped as we all got through the papers. Some scraped a pass, some passed with high marks, and one of us had a resit to do the next day. But after the first day we were all still in with a chance to become Open Water Instructors.  Even coming out to torrential rain would not dampen our spirits. A couple of guys went for a relaxing massage, but most of us headed to the school room to chat about the day and begin preparations for the morning. We had been given our skill set to teach and after an hour or so some of us went for a beer, (Its sociable to spend time together!!!)

"Beer O'Clock"

Next morning we met at seven, in various states of readiness.  But we knew that this session in the pool would be easy.  We had been taught well.  We had practiced teaching skills and knew what would be expected of us.  Separated into two groups we were all having side bets as to which group would have the highest average score. As it turned out we scored well, better than every dive center there. Why – because we had worked hard to make sure we got it right. Our Course Directors knew we would do well, because they knew that they way they taught us was the right way.

"Time to get wet"

Presentations in the afternoon flew past. We had been given our subject to present about on the Friday night and had worked examples into the presentations well. For Project AWARE, when the group were asked to suggest something old, someone suggested their Grandfather! Even the examiners loved this example.  3 parts gone and tomorrows Open Water session was to be the last. Would be Instructors nearer their dream as our resit man had scored over 90% in his resit. Christophe’s  lunchtime session paying dividends again.

Sunday morning at 7 we arrived outside the “Scuba Cat front shop”. The confidence was high but you could feel the nerves. Maybe one or two beers the night before were not the ideal way, or the Disco crowd were coming down from the dancing high, but we jumped into the pick up more subdued. Bruce and Christian had their sea sick tablets as we headed off to Racha Noi for our last session.

"Day 3"

Staying in our groups of four, we were delighted to see that one group got off to the best start by floating through the Rescue Scenario. Again all the practice had paid off, I was remembering my Instructor in Scotland’s voice pacing me through the whole thing. Didn’t matter though as Christophe told us to get out HIS ocean. One more session and the dream was reality. All 8 still in the game and now buzzing.

We went down to around 10m to be met by Jim our examiner.  Going through each of our two skills, when I surfaced with Alfredo after the CESA – Jim said we were in the game and that’s all we needed. When our second group joined us, the hilarity took over. Some other centers had pupils in the water re-doing their Rescue Scenario!! We couldn’t believe it. Some of them seemed to be doing it for the first ever time. Looking at them struggling to remove equipment made us realize that we were good Rescue Divers, and that our practice had paid off.

"Team Dec 2010"

Thanks again Ceri, Find out the result tomorrow……………..

The Scuba Diving industry over the years has evolved rapidly and more people are becoming involved. There has always been a misconception that it is a sport that is available to the fit and able bodied.  However, in recent years the industry has seen an increase in disabled divers, which has been a major leap forward. Disabled divers have been supported by the introduction of various organization’s that purely work with people with various disabilities, both physical and mental.  Scuba Cat, 5 * CDC Center, is also a DDI Instructor Training Centre (Disabled Divers International). Sarah Kench, the Owner and General Manager, is a Course Director and an  Instructor Trainer for the organization and Hielke Oppers, a Instructor at Scuba Cat Diving is also an Instructor for DDI.  Scuba Cat Diving recently represented the DDI at MIDE, the Malaysian Dive Show in Kuala Lumpur.  Their presence at the show always attracts interest and it is a positive step in promoting the disabled diving community, which is growing.

Scuba Cat representing the DDI at MIDE 2011

Many disabled divers are restricted with their movements  and sensory functions. Can you imagine being a paraplegic, sitting in a wheelchair for most of your waking day? Most people who have been able bodied and due to injury or disease are restricted do have a tendency to suffer from depression. There seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel. Diving offers hope. It is freedom from a wheelchair. Scuba Cat Diving has offered this freedom  to many people over the years.

Diving for the Disabled

Scuba Cat Diving has facilities that can accommodate disabled  divers. The training center is a multi purpose building, where disabled divers  can enjoy their theory lessons in comfort on the ground floor. Scuba Cat has it’s own swimming pool and day boat, which means that logistics of accommodating a disabled diver is not an issue.  Every disabled diver is assessed and depending on the type of disability a program is put into place to cater for that individual’s needs and wants.

"No Barriers"

This is a wonderful program and with time hopefully more and more disabled divers will enter the sport.  Disabled is a word that tells the world that you can’t do something. Diving ENABLES these people and highlights what they CAN do!!